 Study to help people with tinnitus
The Eye and Ear Hospital has commenced a study that aims to improve the quality of life of people living with Tinnitus. The Hospital’s study involves holding information sessions for sufferers once a month where people with tinnitus can meet and discuss what helps them to reduce the impact of the condition.
Tinnitus is a condition where people experience noises or ringing in the ears or head, when no such external physical noise is present. It is usually caused by a change in the hearing system. Hospital audiologist Brooke Paisley said tinnitus can interfere with a person’s ability to sleep or enjoy quiet activities. There is evidence to suggest, however, that through sharing information and experiences with fellow sufferers, people living with tinnitus can improve their quality of life.
If you would like to be included in this study, ask your doctor to refer you for a hearing test at either the Audiology Department at the Eye and Ear, or the University of Melbourne’s School of Audiology.
For more information about the information sessions phone -
(03) 9929 8270.
New Meniere's diagnostic tool
20 more volunteers needed - Monash University
Monash University (Australia) researchers believe they have developed a new diagnostic tool for measuring the effectiveness of drug therapies applied to Meniere's patients and for assisting in the early detection of Meniere's disease.
Research has progressed well (see progress report below). To complete the first stage of the project the team are now looking for a final 20 volunteers with Meniere's or BPPV or non specific Vertigo to participate. The test involves placing a cotton bud like electrode in the ear and voluntarily tilting the head forward and back. The test lasts about 1-1.5 hours. MSGV Secretary Lynn Polson recently participated and found it to be a very interesting experience.
For more information contact Brian Lithgow (Director of Teaching, Monash University Centre for Biomedical Engineering) or Mehrnaz Shoushtarian (Researcher) on 03 9905 1893. Or you can email:
Brian.Lithgow@eng.monash.edu.au
mehrnaz.shoustarian@eng.monash.edu.au
Progress report - December 2006
Brian Lithgow reported:
The research into the uses of ElectroVesibulography (EVestG) as a tool for detecting and monitoring Vestibular disorders is progressing well thanks to the volunters who have participated in the study.
There is a video about our research at the following web site: http://www.iet.tv/search/index.html (enter medsip lithgow in the search box at top right). The video shows a presentation we gave in Glasgow titled “Electrovestibulogram (EVestG): The Separation of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and Meniere's Disease” by Brian Lithgow et al .
We gave another presentation in Glasgow on our related research into using EVestG with other neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. A video of this presentation is also available at: http://www.iet.tv/search/index.html (enter medsip shoushtarian in the search box at top right). The title is “The Relationship Between Electrovestibulography and Parkinson’s Disease” by Mehrnaz Shoushtarian et al.
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Australian Meniere's Research Fund (MRF)
Australian Daniel Brown MSc (Hons) has been awarded the first MRF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for research into Meniere's disease. Daniel will work with Professor Alec N Salt at the University of Washington USA. The research will involve studies of the activity of hair cells within the inner ear that could reveal new insights into Meniere's disease.
Funds for the Fellowship were donated by members of the Meniere's Support Groups of Victoria and NSW, Australian corporations and individuals.
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Complementary and alternative medicine therapies (CAM)
This project has now been completed. See the Papers section for more information and to view the report (summary and full report available).
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Last reviewed March 2008
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